Fixture holder for christmas trees



July 17, 1956 c. M. CHURELLA 2,755,054

FIXTURE HOLDER FOR CHRISTMAS TREES Filed March 22, 1955 INVEN TOR. 672/4 M. 67/065444 FIXTURE HOLDER FOR CHRISTMAS TREES Cyril M. Churella, New York, N. Y.

Application March 22, 1955, Serial No. 496,035

1 Claim. (Cl. 248-229) The attachment of Christmas tree lamp sockets to selected branches of a Christmas tree often presents considerable difliculties, and although some are provided with clips for this purpose, it is too often the case that the socket when attached either is not firmly secured or, alternatively, does not extend in the desired direction. A prime cause of the difliculties heretofore existing is the wide range of inclinations assumed by the tree branches, each of which presents a different problem so far as extending a supported socket in a particular, desired direction is concerned.

For example, so-called bubble lights are of elongated formation, and should extend as nearly vertical as possible to present an attractive appearance. This is diflicult in view of the differing angularities of the several tree branches. Further the more usual candle type bulb may desirably be arranged so that it points horizontally, radially outwardly from the tree trunk. When so pointed, and equipped with a reflector at its base, the brilliance and attractiveness of the bulb to a viewer is measurably increased.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a socket or fixture holder for Christmas trees which will substantially eliminate the diificulties heretofore existing; will support the sockets and bulbs in any position between upright and horizontal positions; will be usable in association with any type of conventional, foreign or domcstic socket fixture; will be usable to equal advantage on both manufactured and natural trees, as well as on branches of any size; will be capable of manufacture at a minimum of cost; will hold the socket fixture with desirable firmness; and will be usable both on interior and exterior displays.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the appended claim in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a tree showing, at different locations thereon, a pair of the fixture holders in association with supported sockets and bulbs;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the holder per se; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view, the scale being reduced slightly relative to that used in Figure 2, on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

The holder is generally designated 10, and includes a cubical, solid block 12 of plastic or other electrically insulative material. Embedded in the block is the bight portion (Figure 3) of a spring clip 14, the legs of which project outwardly from one facet or surface of the block. The projecting portions of the legs, medially between their ends, have oppositely, outwardly bowed parts adapted to embrace between them a conventional bulb socket 16 in which may be threaded or otherwise engaged either a candle type bulb 18 or a bubble type bulb 20. The legs of the clip are of springable material, so as to securely but releasably grip the bulb socket in a position in which the socket is spaced laterally of the block 12.

Formed centrally upon opposite surfaces of the block, which surfaces lie in planes intersecting perpendicularly with the plane of the surface from which the clip legs extend, are circular lugs 22 each of which has, inwardly from the outer end of the lug, a continuous, circumferential groove 24.

Each of the remaining surfaces of the block is formed over its entire area with parallel corrugations or flutes 26 constituting means for roughening said remaining surfaces to cause them to grip an associated branch of a Christmas tree T to which the holder is to be secured.

Used in association with each block 12 is a conventional rubber band 28 or other elastic, flexible element. The rubber band at its ends is engaged in the grooves 24, the intermediate portion of the band being extended in a resiliently distended or stretched condition about the associated tree branch. It will be noted that the rubber band can be extended across any of the several corrugated surfaces of the block. For example, on the holder shown at the right in Figure 1, the band extends over that corrugated surface opposite from the surface on which the clip 14 is provided, with said opposing corrugated surface engaging against an upwardly extending tree branch. On the other holder of Figure 1, the band extends across one of the corrugated surfaces that lie in planes perpendicular to the plane of the clip-provided surface, with said one corrugated surface being in engagement with the tree branch. In both instances, the clip 14 extends horizontally from the block to support a bulb socket 16 in an upright position. However, the bulb socket could also be supported in a horizontal position and this would be particularly desirable with respect to the candle type bulb 18. This is achieved by extending the rubber band under a substantially horizontal tree branch, the surface of which is engaged by that corrugated facet 26 lying in a plane parallel to the plane of the clip surface or facet of the block. This is believed sufficiently obvious so as not to require special illustration in the drawing, and it is to be understood that the invention contemplates such an arrangement as well as those shown in Figure 1.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A holder for the socket of a lamp bulb or other decorative ornament of a Christmas tree, comprising a polygonal block, a clip extending from one surface of the block adapted for connection to the object to be held; lugs extending from other, opposite surfaces of the block; and a resilient, flexible element connected between said lugs and stretchable about a tree portion against which the block is engaged, the remaining surfaces of said block being roughened for gripping said tree portion, the surfaces on which said lugs are formed lying in planes intersecting perpendicularly the plane of the clip-provided surface of the block, said element being detachably connected at its ends to the lugs and being rotatable about its connections to the lugs to dispose a selected one of the roughened surfaces in engagement with said tree portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hock Sept. 15, 1903 Buesse Apr. 3, 1917 Pelstring Feb. 12, 1924 Rubano Dec. 22, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1930 

